1. The Department of Education (DepEd) circulates the enclosed copy of the Memorandum of Agreement between the DepEd and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which was executed on October 20, 2017 for the information and guidance of all concerned.

2. This partnership aims to promote community resilience through trainings on Disaster Risk Reduction, Health and Welfare, First Aid and Basic Life Support, Welfare Services, other lifesaving courses, and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

3. In compliance with Republic Act No. 10871 or the Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, all DepEd offices and schools shall conduct capacity building and resilience education for emergency cardiovascular care and psychomotor training in coordination with the PRC, Department of Health (DoH), and the Philippine Heart Association (PHA). At least one personnel per school shall be trained and certified by the PRC as First Aid and Basic Life Support instructor.

4. The Department encourages the organization of Red Cross Youth Councils in all elementary and secondary schools to promote a culture of safety, volunteerism, and respect for humanitarian values. As provided for by DepEd Memorandum No. 102, s. 2011 entitled Establishment of the Red Cross Youth Councils and Training of Teachers in the Different Red Cross Services, the councils shall have one overall coordinator and at least one teacher or parent-adviser for every 43 youth members. Likewise, it shall be recognized as one of the school’s official co-curricular organizations per DepEd Order No. 38, s. 2005 entitled Recognition of the Red Cross Youth as Official Co-Curricular Organization in the Schools.

The Youth Formation (YF) Coordinators at the regional, schools division, and schools district office shall:

Oversee the organization and operation of the Red Cross Youth Councils;

Provide regular reports to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Coordinator at their respective level.

5. All DepEd Offices and schools are enjoined to organize activities to promote awareness and appreciation of IHL and Child Protection, which includes the commemoration of the International Humanitarian Law Day every 12th of August.

6. DRRM Coordinators at their respective levels shall oversee the overall implementation of the programs stipulated in the MOA.

7. For further clarifications on the activities to be conducted and the respective roles and responsibilities of the focal persons, refer to the enclosed Memorandum of Agreement.

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

This Memorandum of Agreement is made and entered into by and between:

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DepEd), a line agency of the Philippine Government that is mandated to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality basic education and take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all, with office address at DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City represented herein by its Secretary, Secretary LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES, hereinafter referred to as the “DepEd”.

THE PHILIPPINE RED CROSS (PRC), an independent, autonomous, nongovernmental organization auxiliary to the government of the Republic of the Philippines duly created and organized by virtue of Republic Act No.95, otherwise known as “An Act to Incorporate the Philippine National Red Cross” as amended and recognized by Republic Act no. 10072, otherwise known as the “Philippine Red Cross Act of 2009” with address at 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong, represented herein by its Chairman and CEO, Senator RICHARD JUICO GORDON, hereinafter referred to as the “PRC”.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, under Republic Act No. 9155, otherwise known as “Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, the Department of Education shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of basic education relevant to the needs of the people and society. It shall establish and maintain a system of free and compulsory public education in the elementary level and free public education in the high school level.

WHEREAS, Volunteerism from among all sectors shall be emphasized and encouraged to ensure sustainable growth and development in education.

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 10121, otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 provides for the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Education in the school curricula, whether private or public, including formal and nonformal, technical-vocational, indigenous learning, and out-of-school youth courses and programs;

WHEREAS, The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office created under DepEd Order (DO) No. 50, Series of 2011, and later elevated into a Service (DRRMS) through DepEd Memorandum (DM) No. 112, s. 2015 is in-charge of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM), Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), and Education in Emergencies (EiE) for basic education;

WHEREAS, DO No. 37, s. 2015, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) in Basic Education Framework, issued the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Basic Education Framework to guide DRRM efforts in the basic education sector towards resilience-building in offices and schools, and to ensure that quality education is continuously provided and prioritized even during disasters/emergencies;

WHEREAS, section 3 of Republic Act 10871, otherwise known as “An act requiring basic education students to undergo age-appropriate basic life support training”, affirms that it shall be the duty of all public and private basic education schools operating nationwide to provide their students with basic life support training through the use of psychomotor training in an age-appropriate manner. The section further proceeds that instruction shall include programs which have been developed by the “Philippine Heart Association (PHA) or Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) using nationally-recognized, evidence-based guidelines for emergency cardiovascular care, and psychomotor training, to support the instruction. As far as practicable, basic education schools shall incorporate basic life support training as part of the schools’ comprehensive health and physical education curriculum.”

WHEREAS, DepEd Order No. 38, Series of 2005, otherwise known as the “Recognition of the Red Cross Youth as Official Co-curricular Organization in the Schools”, recognized the Red Cross Youth as a Co-curricular organization in the schools;

WHEREAS, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) adopted the cluster approach of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) for humanitarian emergencies through NDCC Circular No. 5, s. 2007, designating DepEd as lead of the National Education Cluster (NEC). In strengthening partnerships and the cluster approach, the DepEd, together with other members of the NEC, created the Education Resilience Working Group (ERWG). National Education Cluster and ERWG are governed by a Terms of Reference (TOR) to guide all members;

WHEREAS, the PRC is a member of the NEC and the ERWG and as such, guided by the NEC and ERWG TOR;

WHEREAS, PRC, mandated by Republic Act 10072, is the premier and largest humanitarian and voluntary organization in the country and is committed to provide quality life-saving services that protect life and dignity especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations or disasters, or of non-combatants caught in the thick of armed conflict; and provided further in SEC 3. to be the voluntary, independent, and autonomous nongovernmental society auxiliary to the authorities of the Republic of the Philippines in the humanitarian field, to assist said authorities in discharging the obligations set forth in the Geneva Conventions.

WHEREAS, the PRC provides a wide range of humanitarian services ranging from ensuring the provision of safe and sufficient blood supply, health and welfare services, first aid and other lifesaving programs, disaster risk reduction and management, livelihood and community development, among others

WHEREAS, one of the major services of the PRC is the Red Cross Youth, dedicated to educate and empower children and youth ages 7-25 years old in the spirit of humanitarianism and voluntary service, through constructive trainings and effective leadership and provide opportunities for directing and harnessing their energy and idealism into worthwhile and humanitarian activities;

WHEREAS, as an approach to community resilience-building, the PRC aims to establish community-based volunteer groups through its flagship program known as Red Cross 143. These are composed of adult volunteers with 1 team leader and minimum of 43 members who are trained in disaster management, safety, community health, welfare, and community development to be able to predict, plan, and prepare for, and practice against disasters.

WHEREAS, the Philippines is known for its increasing vulnerability to hazards and to the impact of climate change as evidenced by increasing frequency and propensity of natural and human induced hazards that affected the country in recent years.

WHEREAS, the government and all its stakeholders recognize the need for better and effective lifesaving measures which are anchored on preparedness and disaster risk reduction and management further defined in RA 10072. It recognizes the need for the engagement and participation of civil society organizations, the private sector and volunteers in the government’s disaster risk reduction program towards complementation of resources and effective delivery of services to the citizenry.

WHEREAS, ensuring that volunteers are properly organized and registered under duly recognized organizations such as but not limited to the Philippine Red Cross is key to ensuring effective and synergistic mobilization throughout the disaster continuum;

WHEREAS, voluntary service and helping of others in need must be inculcated in the hearts of the Filipino Youth, and that youth volunteers must be mobilized in times of natural and man-made disasters and emergencies;

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the above premises, the Parties do hereby jointly agree and bind themselves to undertake the following:

I. UNDERTAKINGS OF DEPED:

1. Assign DRRMS as the focal entity in the Department to co-author, implement, and monitorthe IRR on RA 10871 or the “Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act” together with DOH, PHA, PNRC, and other relevant organizations;

2. Promote and encourage a proactive engagement by all DepEd offices (National, Regional, and Division Offices) and all schools nationwide in conducting capacity building and resilience education for emergency cardiovascular care and psychomotor training, as mandated by RA 10871 in coordination with the ERWG, more specifically, with DOH, PHA, and PNRC;

3. Ensure school safety and readiness by implementing RA 10121, RA 10821, RA 10871 together with the concerned agencies, partners, and the PNRC;

4. Promote training and acquisition of Red Cross Certification for Basic Life Support and First Aid by students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel;

5. Review the guidelines and/or activities governing the Red Cross Youth Councils nationwide for the purpose of adoption of good practices; alignment of DRRM/CCA/EiE efforts of the Department; and, policy enhancement;

6. Encourage that every Red Cross Youth Council will have at least forty four (44) members- One (1) teacher or parent Red Cross Youth Adviser for every 43 members and one (1) overall coordinator within the school;

7. Integrate the concepts of volunteerism, humanitarian values, DRRM, CCA, health, Basic First Aid, Basic Life Support and pertinent laws in the curriculum;

8. Take feasible measures to ensure that children shall be protected against recruitment and/ or enlistment by any armed forces;

9. Organize activities in commemoration of International Humanitarian Law Day every August 12 to raise the people’s consciousness and promote greater awareness of the principles of International Humanitarian Law;

10. Encourage at least one (1) Teacher or School Head to be trained as First Aid and Basic Life Support trainer per school. Upon completion of training, they shall be certified by the PNRC as co-facilitators and/or co-trainers for additional trainings in other schools or offices;

11. Take into consideration any recommendation from the PRC on schools and division offices with outstanding performance in supporting the membership programs and other humanitarian activities/initiatives of the PRC;

12. Encourage division offices and schools to have at least two (2) outreach activities and/or volunteer involvements in the community;

13. Identify a focal person within DepEd in all levels for the implementation of this Memorandum. For the promotion and supervision of Red Cross Youth Councils, the Youth Formation Coordinator and DRRM Coordinator at the Regional Offices and Schools District Offices should be designated as focal persons who shall coordinate with the Philippine Red Cross.

15. Provide service credits to teachers participating in PRC activities pursuant to the DepEd Order no. 53, s.2015, otherwise known as the “Grant of Service Credits to Teacher-Advisers of Red Cross Youth Councils (RCYC)” and promote volunteer involvement through the provision of enabling opportunities.

II. UNDERTAKINGS OF THE PRC:

The PRC, through its National Headquarters, its Chapters, and in close collaboration with the Local Government Units, schools and other involved sectors in the Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay levels shall:

1. Ensure programs and projects are aligned to the TOR of the National Education Cluster (NEC) and Education Resilience Working Group (ERWG), and other DepEd DRRMS-related policies, programs, and projects;

2. Intensify its information drive on DRRM/CCA/EiE in both elementary and high schools from public and private schools nationwide;

3. Ensure orientation and meaningful engagement in the different levels of membership and volunteering opportunities in DepEd and PNRC programs and humanitarian activities;

4. Provide trainers to conduct FREE YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING to all Youth Volunteers and FREE VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATION SESSIONS to all registered adult volunteers. Priority shall be afforded to those who have enrolled in the Membership and Accident Assistance Benefit (MAAB) program of the PNRC as a means to recognize their contribution to humanitarian funds;

5. Support the implementation of the DepEd DRRM Ladderized Capacity Building Program initiated by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) through the following actions;

i. Giving permission to DepEd for the inclusion of the PRC Basic Life Support and First Aid Training Modules in the 23 module set which was developed for the capacity development of DepEd DRRM Coordinators. This permission shall include allowing DepEd to print the training literature for the purpose of said training;

ii. Providing training facilitators and resource persons for the Basic Life Support and First Aid Training that will be scheduled by DepEd for its DRRM Coordinators;

iii. Allowing the use of its training materials/equipment/facilities during the Training of the DepEd DRRM Coordinators with corresponding fee for the utilization of the facilities;

iv. Collecting minimal and reasonable fees allowed by law for the Basic Life Support and First Aid Training that will be undertaken for DepEd personnel;

v. Provide for free resource persons for DRRM and International Humanitarian Law trainings in accordance to the 23 modules set by the Department. DepEd shall provide a counterpart such as transportation expenses, board and lodging and supplies and materials, if any.

6. Provide technical assistance in any lifesaving activities and/or programs involving Red Cross Youth Council, DRRM, WaSH in Schools (WinS), and Basic Life Support and Basic First Aid, among others;

7. Institute a certification process through an accreditation procedure for all Red Cross Youth Councils which will allow certificate holders to train and cascade Basic Life Support and Basic First Aid to other schools;

8. Maintain a database of all Red Cross Youth and school based adult volunteers and provide regular updates on national and international activities and gatherings (subject to the provisions of the Data Privacy Act);

9. Ensure support through volunteer mobilization for national DepEd events such as the Palarong Pambansa and Brigada Eskwela and any other significant events organized by DepEd;

10. Provide technical assistance and the mobilization of volunteer evaluators for the conduct of school emergency drills and simulations;

11. Institute a recognition program for volunteers and Red Cross Youth Councils which achieved outstanding performance in the promotion and delivery of humanitarian ideals and services;

12. Support and reinforce the WaSH in School (WinS) Program through:

i. The implementation of Children’s Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation which will hone learners to practice, promote, and advocate proper health, hygiene and sanitation practices in school and at home.

ii. improved access of learners to sufficient and appropriate water and sanitation facilities; and

13. Device a recognition system for schools which excel in the promotion and delivery of the Red Cross humanitarian principles and services including the promotion of non-remunerated blood donation, disaster risk reduction and management, health and welfare, safety, child protection and participation, and international humanitarian law.

III. EFFECTIVITY AND TERMINATION:

This agreement shall take effect immediately upon signing hereof and shall remain in force until 2019 or until any party expresses in writing its desire to terminate the agreement; provided, however, that such termination shall take effect one (1) month from the written receipt by the other party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, parties have hereto affixed their signatures on this day of year 2017 at the Board Room, Philippine Red Cross – National Headquarters, 37 EDSA corner Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong.

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